You may be a bit overwhelmed after surgery, so plan ahead to create your recovery to-do list. Fill your prescriptions and do your grocery shopping; ask a friend to help out with your children or pets; find someone to drive you to and from your surgery. Once you know exactly what to do, it’s easy to go down the list and check things off. When it comes to avoiding certain things, however, you might need more frequent reminders.
As a prospective rhinoplasty patient, you are likely familiar with the many benefits this facial surgery can provide to you. During your consultation and surgical planning process, your facial plastic surgeon will talk to you about the importance of your recovery period and how well you should care for yourself following surgery. Once you leave his or her operating room, it’s up to you to protect your nasal surgery results. Follow your facial plastic surgeon’s careful instructions to get your best results and smoothest recovery. Keep these six key tips in mind:
Stay Away From Exercise for a While
Before you head in for your rhinoplasty procedure, make peace with the fact that you’ll have to skip out on your usual fitness routine for a few days or weeks. While it’s healthy for your body to get regular exercise, it’s too risky for your fragile post-surgical nose, especially when the bones haven’t yet set. Get lots of rest to encourage proper healing and be careful not to overdo it as soon as you are starting to feel better. Discuss your personal recovery schedule with your facial plastic surgeon to be sure you’re only participating in activities that are safe for you and your nose!
Keep Yourself Healthy While You Recover
After rhinoplasty, your healing nose will have enough to deal with on its own, so keep those sniffles at bay. Avoid anyone who make be sick with a cold or flu virus leading up to and shortly after your surgery. Nasal congestion can cause the nose and nasal passages to swell and become even more uncomfortable. Avoid potential allergens as well, such as pet dander and pollen, to save yourself an allergy flare up when you’re trying to heal. Talk to your facial plastic surgeon about other strategies to keep yourself healthy, fit, and ready for your rhinoplasty surgery.
Stay Out of the Sun
Healing tissue is especially delicate to many things, including the rays of the sun. Following your rhinoplasty surgery, be careful to keep your nose covered or protected with sunscreen when you’re spending time outdoors. You should also be aware that scar tissue forming at your incision sites can be more easily affected by UV rays and become more visible. Make sure to apply a strong enough SPF to protect your delicate skin from daily exposure and potential pigment issues later on.
Leave Your Glasses Off
They may seem lightweight and completely harmless, but those eyeglasses could actually cause problems for your healing nasal bridge. During the initial part of your recovery, the bones and cartilage of your nose will be very soft and flexible, making them more susceptible to the pressure of those glasses. To preserve your rhinoplasty results and allow the nose to heal right the first time around, switch to contacts until further notice. The same thing applies to sunglasses, even if you’re just wearing them for a short amount of time. Keep the nasal bridge free and clear or else you might wind up need a revision rhinoplasty to correct any damage your glasses have caused.
Rest But Don’t Lie Down Flat
Resting is a key part of your rhinoplasty recovery process, but how you get that rest definitely matters. Any time you are reclining to relax or lying down to sleep, be sure to keep your head propped up at an angle. Lying flat can cause an increase in swelling, increase your pain levels, or lead to harmful bleeding-related side effects like a hematoma. Follow your facial plastic surgeon’s advice carefully to make sure you keep your head elevated as long as it is required for safe and complete healing.
Say No to Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Drugs
There are many substances that can interact with anesthetics, pain medication, and other prescriptions you may be taking after surgery. Smoking, drinking, or using any drugs of any kind could cause problems with blood circulation, hydration, and more. To have a safe and smooth recovery, avoid anything that hasn’t been expressly approved by your facial plastic surgeon. It’s the best way to be sure your recovery will stay on track.
Plan a Successful Rhinoplasty With an Expert
Achieve your best rhinoplasty results and keep them looking great when you work with an expert in the field. To learn more about rhinoplasty, plan your initial consultation now. Consult with a facial plastic surgeon to achieve your best results. Dr. Andrew Frankel is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear Nose and Throat). He specializes in nasal surgery and has been recognized for his original research regarding vasculature to the nose and rhinoplasty’s effect on it. Schedule your appointment today with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon to guarantee your best rhinoplasty results. Contact Dr. Frankel’s office, located at 201 Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, California, by calling (310) 552-2173.
